CFD gives update on firefighter seriously injured battling house fire near O'Hare Airport
CHICAGO - Three Chicago firefighters were hurt, one seriously, while battling a blaze in the 8300 block of W. Balmoral Ave. on Friday afternoon.
Two of the injured firefighters are doing ‘very well,’ according to an update from fire officials Friday evening.
The first responder who was taken to a nearby hospital with ‘critical’ injuries has been transferred to Loyola Medical Center and is now in serious condition.
CFD provided an update on their Sunday morning saying they are making steady improvement at Loyola Medical Center. The first responder's condition remains serious, but stable.
The fire – believed to have started in the basement of the home – prompted a mayday call.
"I’ve never seen this many firetrucks and this many firefighters ever," said Jim Bruno, who lives on the block.
Bruno was outside with his next-door neighbor when a homeowner across the street ran out shouting that there was a fire.
"So we ran to the front, and by the time we got here, the firefighters were climbing up on the roof, and I guess they were cutting holes in the roof," said Bruno.
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Bruno and Ewa Zator say first responders also pried open the front door.
"It didn’t look that bad at first, but when they were trying to get into the house, when they opened the door, the dark, black just smoke came out," said Zator.
"I’ve never seen that kind of smoke in all my life," said Bruno.
As they fought the blaze on an already hot day, three firefighters were injured.
According to CFD spokesperson Larry Langford, two of the firefighters were inside the home when an "emergency occurred."
The cause of their injuries was not immediately made available.
Neighbors say the firefighter who was initially rushed to the hospital in critical condition was taken away on a stretcher, and are now offering their support.
"I hope he’s ok, I’m praying for him," said Bruno.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.